Britain’s ruling Conservatives party have suspended an MP over unspecified “serious allegations”, a step that could undermine the authority of her minority government as Britain seeks to iron out a Brexit deal with the European Union.

May’s Conservative Party refused to give any detail about the nature of the allegations against Charlie Elphicke, a Conservative lawmaker for Dover in southern England, but said it had referred the matter to the police.

Elphicke, formerly a tax lawyer who was first elected to his Dover seat in southern England in 2010, denied any wrongdoing.“The party tipped off the press before telling me of my suspension,” he said on Twitter. “I am not aware of what the alleged claims are and deny any wrongdoing.”

The action was taken against lawmaker Charlie Elphicke “following serious allegations that have been referred to the police”, announced chief whip Julian Smith, who enforces Conservative party discipline in parliament.The move comes amid a deepening row over sexual abuse and harassment at Westminster, which earlier this week forced Michael Fallon to resign as defence secretary.

Two other ministers remain under investigation for alleged inappropriate behaviour, including May’s de facto deputy Damian Green, who denies any wrongdoing.